Salt, Trinidadian writer Lovelace's first novel since the poetic The Wine of Astonishment (1982), is uptempo, lushly melodic, and all-absorbing by virtue of its affectionately rendered characters and piquant, parodic humor. Lovelace's story begins with the story of Guinea John, who escapes Trinidad in the aftermath of a failed insurrection by flying home to Africa. In a dream, he tells his daughter that because she and others in their family ate salt they're too heavy to fly, so they must stay put and try to straighten things out on their beautiful but oppressive island. This tale turns out to be prescient for Alford George, a misfit who finally achieves self-respect through a strict regime of self-improvement and a surefire plan to leave Trinidad. But, like the salt-eaters, he is unable to escape. Instead, he channels his immense energy and discipline into teaching and becomes an unlikely but very popular public figure. Lovelace is an astute political satirist, but it is his benevolent delight in humanity that makes this tender and funny novel sing.